Lye
Holman Bible Dictionary [1]
Nethar
Bor likely refers to potassium carbonate and is sometimes called vegetable lye. It is a strongly alkaline solution made by burning certain plants like soapwort and leaching the lye from the ashes. This was the type of lye normally used in Palestine, for there are no known deposits of sodium bicarbonate there. The same Hebrew spelling also means, “purity” ( Psalm 18:20 ,Psalms 18:20, 18:24 ) leading to confusion in English translations.
The term “lye” is used in the English Bible in a figurative sense on at least three occasions. In each case it is used as a means for the removal of sin. Job recognized the depth of his own sin. Nothing, not even lye, could cleanse his dirty hands ( Job 9:30 NAS, NRSV, REB; compare NIV, “washing soda.”). In Isaiah 1:25 , God promised to redeem His corrupt people, but they would have to undergo a painful cleansing time first. Lye (NAS, NRSV; compare REB, “potash”) would remove the sin in their lives if they repented. Only then would they be considered righteous. In Jeremiah 2:22 God warned Judah that they could not remove their sin, not even with lye (NRSV, NAS; compare KJV, “niter”; NIV, REB, “soda”). The only recourse was repentance toward God.
Bradley S. Butler
Webster's Dictionary [2]
(1): ( n.) A strong caustic alkaline solution of potassium salts, obtained by leaching wood ashes. It is much used in making soap, etc.
(2): ( n.) A short side line, connected with the main line; a turn-out; a siding.
(3): ( n.) A falsehood.
King James Dictionary [3]
LYE, n. L. 59whence lixivium Ant.L. lixa, whence Lugdunum, Leyden, Lyons, that is Water-town.
Water impregnated with alkaline salt imbibed from the ashes of wood.
LYE, n. A falsehod. See Lie.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [4]
LYE. See Nitre and Soap.
